EP 761: Take This 33-Question Test to See What Kind of Trail Runner You Really Are
Release Date: 12/26/2025
EP 777: Inside the Toughest Era of Ultrarunning
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode, we sit down with ultrarunning legend and to go beyond the race results and into the stories hidden between the aid stations. Hal reflects on the gritty era of ultrarunning when gear was simpler, races were rougher, and success often came down to who could stay calm while everything else unraveled. The conversation explores their approach to downhill running, how they learned to descend with confidence, and why many runners sabotage themselves by braking too much and overthinking every step. Hal also shares memorable moments from decades in the sport, including...
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EP 776: Build Stronger Feet Before They Fail
Trail Runner Nation
In this follow-up conversation with Dr. Tonya Olson, we shift from fixing foot problems to preventing them by building stronger, more resilient feet before race day disaster strikes. Tonya explains that the biggest mistake runners make is not paying attention to their feet until something hurts, even though their feet have been quietly sending signals for months, like tiny grumpy trail prophets. The discussion explores how calluses, hot spots, toenails, and skin changes can reveal weaknesses in shoe choice, mobility, gait, and training habits. Tonya also unveils the surprising connection...
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EP 775: I Spent $4,500 on One Race
Trail Runner Nation
What are some of the real costs of running an ultra? In this episode, ultra runner and coach talks about this, and it turns out the race entry is just the first pebble in the avalanche. We discuss the hidden expenses that pile up around an A-race: travel, nutrition, coaching, shoes, gear, hotels, rental cars, and the tiny financial gremlins that quietly multiply in the dark corners of race prep. Colleen shares that one of her hundred-mile races carried a $4,500 receipt, but she emphasizes that ultras can also be done on a shoestring with borrowed gear, local races, and simple...
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EP 774: Aging As An Athlete- The Truth About Longevity in Running
Trail Runner Nation
What if your best performance isn’t behind you… it’s just different now? In this Aging as an Athlete episode, joins again as co-host in a discussion with . Bryce Thatcher is a trail-running pioneer and founder of , who has spent over 40 years innovating hydration gear while living and embodying a lifelong commitment to mountain running and human-powered adventure. We explore what it really takes to stay connected to trail running over decades. Bryce shares how a deep love of the outdoors and the human-powered movement form the foundation for long-term engagement in the...
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EP 773: Why We Choose to Suffer (And Love It)
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode, we are joined again by coach to explore the book, T by Paul Bloom, and discuss why endurance athletes voluntarily seek discomfort in pursuit of meaning, growth, and satisfaction. We discuss the concept of “benign masochism,” highlighting how pain and pleasure are deeply intertwined in long races and hard efforts. We talk about internal versus external motivation, the power of anticipation, and how reframing challenges can shape both performance and mindset. We explore flow state, decision-making under fatigue, and why doing hard things helps us better appreciate everyday...
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EP 772: Simple Running. Powerful Living
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode, we are joined by Michael Miller to discuss his book and his deep connection to the Indigenous Rarámuri “running people” of Mexico’s Sierra Tarahumara. Drawing on years spent living among the community, Michael shares how running is woven into their social fabric as a celebration of resilience, nature, and togetherness rather than competition or performance. The conversation explores powerful cultural concepts like korima, the practice of sharing without expectation, and how movement in nature can restore balance and contentment in modern life. Michael also reflects on...
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EP 771: Aging as an Athlete: Mindset, Longevity, and the Love of Running
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode of Trail Runner Nation’s Aging as an Athlete series, along with , we welcome elite ultrarunner and therapist for a thoughtful conversation about longevity in endurance sports. Drawing on more than two decades of racing at the highest level, Darcy explains that there is no “magic pill” for staying in the sport long term, emphasizing instead the importance of self-care, strength work, listening to the body, and adapting training as athletes age. The discussion explores the mental side of endurance, including acceptance of changing performance, learning to manage...
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EP 770: Racing the Clock: Life at the Cutoff
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode of Trail Runner Nation, we sit down with filmmaker to talk about his powerful new film, . Instead of following the front of the pack, the film shines a light on the runners fighting the clock at aid stations, chasing the courage it takes simply to continue. Dylan shares the inspiration behind the project, the stories that moved him most, and what the back-of-the-pack reveals about grit, community, and the true spirit of trail running. This conversation is a reminder that endurance isn’t just about speed; it’s about persistence, heart, and refusing to quit when the margin...
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EP 769: Is Your Watch Lying? The Truth About VO₂ Max and Real Fitness
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode, we are joined by , Coaching Development Director for . We take a practical look at VO₂ max and what it really means for everyday runners. We explore whether this popular performance metric is truly essential, how much it matters for trail and ultra athletes, and where it can be misunderstood or overemphasized. The conversation cuts through the numbers to focus on what actually helps runners train smarter, stay healthy, and improve long-term performance. If you’ve ever wondered whether your VO₂ max score is a guiding light or just another shiny data point, this...
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EP 768: Is Muscle the Missing Piece in Your Training?
Trail Runner Nation
In this episode, rejoins Trail Runner Nation discuss why muscle is the real engine behind endurance, performance, and long-term health, especially as runners get older. The conversation explores how and why we lose muscle over time, why this decline matters for speed, resilience, and injury prevention, and the encouraging truth that much of it is reversible. Alex explains the critical role of strength training, the importance of intensity and progressive load, and how endurance athletes can balance running with the work needed to maintain power. The discussion also challenges common myths...
info_outlineIn this lighthearted, game-show–style episode, we try and answer the age-old question: Am I really a trail runner?
Audience participation is a must as we work through 33 humorous and painfully relatable statements covering gear habits, weather and suffering, aid stations, trail culture, injuries, and even bathroom logistics. You keep score to discover whether you’re a noob, veteran, grizzled trail runner, or full-blown OG.
Along the way, we share personal stories, questionable decisions, and plenty of laughs that anyone who’s spent time on the trail will recognize.
It’s participatory, self-aware, and a reminder that trail running is as much about community and mindset as miles and pace. Grab your scorecard (or fingers), protect your dignity, and find out just how trail you really are.
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